Apply for an export licence

ECO statistics data has information on how long licence applications usually take based on the country you’re sending your goods to.

Taking military or dual use goods out of the UK temporarily

You still need to get an export licence to take military or dual use goods out of the country temporarily (for example to demonstrate them to potential buyers at a trade show or take them to a commemorative military event).

Goods that you can’t arrange sales for or move

You won’t be able to export items classified in the goods checker as ‘Schedule 3 UK controlled dual-use, software and technology’ if you are told they might be used for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) purposes.

Brokering banned goods or to embargoed countries

There are tighter controls on brokering for some goods and for some locations.

For goods where there’s a total ban on UK exports (for example, anti personnel land mines) or where there’s a UK arms embargo in place, brokering also includes:

Who the brokering rules apply to

The brokering rules apply to:

companies or other bodies incorporated under UK law

UK nationals (including British citizens, British overseas territories citizens, British Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas Citizens and ‘British subjects’ and ‘British protected persons’ under the British Nationality Act 1981)

The rules apply to UK nationals whether they have right of abode in the UK or not. They apply whether the UK national is working for a UK company, for a non-UK company or for themselves.

Sharing classified information

You must get approval from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) before sharing classified information or equipment with a person or organisation outside the UK. This means:

If you use an Open General Export Licence (OGEL)

If you have a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL)

contact HMRC in advance to arrange an inspection of your goods (goods must be available for inspection at least 3 days before the export date)

keep records of end user details

If you need a signed hard copy of your licence

Some countries require Private Security Companies (PSCs) to provide signed hard copies of their licences. This is to comply with international rules on preventing maritime piracy. Contact ECO for details.